EAST
Alligator Point
Located at the eastern end of Franklin County accessed from U S Highway 98 and route 370. 14,366 acre Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve acts as a nursery for the Gulf Coast serving as a breeding ground for grouper, shrimp, blue crabs flounder, trout, mullet, snapper, cobia, tarpon, redfish and many more species. Wildlife watching, recreational opportunities, and sight fishing in these waters can be rewarding and challenging. Located 45 minutes east of Apalachicola
Bald Point State Park
Located where Ochlockonee Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, this 4,859 acre state park has a diversity of wildlife from birds to the Florida black bear. Bald eagles, ospreys, and migrating falcons are a common sight here. Bald Point's wide beaches are the perfect settings for picnicking, sunbathing, fishing, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking. Picnic shelters and restroom facilities are available at Sunrise Beach Access, and a newly constructed observation boardwalk overlooks pristine marshes which are excellent area to catch a glimpse of the rare Florida black bear. Sometimes the bears swim at the beach at to the delight of park visitors. (850) 349-9146 www.floridastateparks.org/baldpoint. Located 45 minutes east of Apalachicola.
Wakulla Springs
One of the world's largest and deepest fresh water springs highlights the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. A natural wonder, the springs cover nearly 3 acres and its peak flows at a rate of 14,325 gallons per second, equal to 1.2 billion gallons per day. Visitors can swim in designated areas or take a boat tour on a glass-bottom boat which allows visitors to view the deep spring and clearly see the mouth of the cavern 100 feet below. Approximately 1 ½ hours from Apalachicola or St George Island. Take U S Highway 98 across the Ochlockonee River to 319. Turn left on to 319, go to Crawfordville and take 61 to the east. Follow the signs to Wakulla Springs (850) 926-0700. Located about an hour and fifteen minutes east of Apalachicola.
St James Bay Golf Course
A championship 18 hole course with wetlands and water hazards on every hole creates a challenge for even the most skillful golfer, yet golfers of all abilities will love. All golf carts are equipped with GPS systems. Full driving range and two putting greens. The pro shop includes apparel, accessories and rental clubs. 151 Laughing Gull Lane near Lanark 850) 697-9606. Located 25 minutes east of Apalachicola.
Lanark Village
The village of Lanark was once home to a fashionable resort in the late 1800s as it was the terminus of the , Florida During WWII the area was know as Camp Gordon Johnston, a military installation that trained over a quarter million men for amphibious assaults from 1942 until 1946. In Carrabelle you can visit the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum (see description below). Located eight miles east of Carrabelle. and Alabama Railroad.
Carrabelle
The town of Carrabelle is a paradise for boaters with plenty of deep water boat slips and several marinas that offer fuel, provisions, bait and tackle. There are also several eateries and shops off of U S Highway 98 and a visitors center at 105 U S Highway 98 (850) 697-2585. Located 20 minutes east of Apalachicola.
Camp Gordon Johnston
The CGJ Museum has preserved the heritage of the men who train here during WWII. They have compiled an extensive history of the various units, as well as a photographic display of the area and life as it existed at the camp. CGJ veterans have contributed the artifacts brought back from battles overseas, along with uniforms, mess kits, and all sorts of souvenirs. Located at 302 Marine Street in Carrabelle (850) 697-8575 www.campgordonjohnston.com
Crooked River Lighthouse
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places this 103-foot iron and steel structure was constructed in 1895, to guide ships through East Pass between Dog Island and St. George Island. Decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1995, the lighthouse is currently being restored. Interpretive signage and picnic area 3 miles west of Carrabelle.
WEST
Indian Pass
West of Apalachicola take U S Highway 98 for about 7 miles to a fork in the road where 98 meets C-30, the scenic route offering great bay views. Ten miles further down the road you’ll stumble upon the Indian Pass Raw Bar, an iconic oyster bar where you get your own beer or coke from the frige and belly up to the bar for a dozen of Apalachicola’s finest oysters. As you leave the raw bar explore Indian Pass.
St Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge
At the end of Indian Pass Road you can arrange to take a ferry to the Refuge. A wildlife refuge, St Vincent is kept in its natural state to help preserve the area’s wildlife. There you can view tidal marshes, freshwater lakes, and miles of uninhabited beaches with natural dunes. St. Vincent is an important stopping point in the region for neo-tropical migratory birds. The island is a haven for endangered and threatened species, including bald eagles, sea turtles, indigo snakes, gopher tortoises, and loggerhead sea turtles. Located 25 minutes west of Apalachicola. (850) 653-8808.
Cape San Blas
Cape San Blas peninsula reaches out in an arch to form St Joseph Bay, a shallow clear saltwater bay full of sea life. There are several shops and restaurants on the Cape, plus an inn and plenty of beach homes to rent. Located 30 minutes west of Apalachicola.
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Occupying the far end of the Cape, the park has more than ten miles of white sand beaches plus offers excellent snorkeling, boating, swimming, birding, and hiking. The park has some of the oldest and highest sand dunes in the state. The shallow waters of St. Joseph Bay are alive with a variety of marine life. Frequently encountered are bay scallops, blue and horseshoe crabs, and numerous species of fish and octopus. The park also has excellent birding with sightings of 209 species currently recorded (850) 227-1327. Located 45 minutes west of Apalachicola.
St. Joseph Bay Preserve
Over 5,000 acres on St. Joseph Bay form the State Buffer Preserve. Miles of trails are open for hiking and biking, and there is a kayak launch site at the Deal Tract on Cape San Blas Road. The Visitor Center has educational exhibits; programs on local sea life, flora, and fauna; and volunteer opportunities. The St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve is located at 3915 State Road 30-A. Call (850) 229-1787, weekdays 9:00 – 4:00, for program schedule and trail maps.
Port St Joe
Founded in 1835, St Joseph, later know as Port St Joe, was a cotton shipping port in its early days. In 1844, the town suffered a hit by a hurricane and tidal wave. Two year later in 1846 the town virtually disappeared when a yellow fever epidemic killed over 6,000 residents. Today Port St Joe is being reborn again. The town has a main street with shops and restaurants. Located 20 miles west of Apalachicola.
Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Florida's first State Constitution Convention was held in Port St. Joe. This museum commemorates the work of the 56 territorial delegates who drafted Florida's first constitution in 1838. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through displays and exhibits of 19th century life in St. Joseph. Located in Port St. Joe, off US Highway 98 (200 Allen Memorial Way) (850) 229-8029
